Hebrews 4:9-11
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:9-11 (NIV)
These verses have me reflecting back to July 1978, during the interview for my first banking position after college graduation. During that interview, the bank president asked if I had any concerns about not washing my car or doing laundry on Sunday? My Aunt Kathy, who was familiar with the “makeup” of the community, had given me a heads up about what she expected were the religious beliefs of the community. Basically, the majority of churches in the community believed in honoring the Sabbath on Sundays. As an example, my understanding was that members of one denomination would prepare their Sunday meals on Saturday, in order that they didn’t have to do that “work” on Sunday. After attending church, the members of the denomination would have their meal and then “rest,” which could include visiting, but did not include any type of “work” or watching TV. My response to the bank president was that I didn’t have a concern about not washing my car or doing laundry on Sunday.
I was offered and accepted the loan officer training position, and I didn’t wash my car or do laundry on Sundays. I’m not sure if the bank president knew the baseball team I played for in another community, or the fast pitch softball team with my Lutheran friends had games scheduled on Sundays. But the question remains, was I (and am I) honoring the Sabbath, in accordance with the devotion verses, or God’s Commandment from Exodus 20 – Verse 8.
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
One commentary I located on Hebrews indicated “the book's unusual form, setting, and argument have led some to consider it a puzzle that invites engagement in defining the undefined.” A puzzle that invites us to engage in defining the undefined?”
Question for Reflection:
- So, how do I (or you) define what it means that: “There remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. And to, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”
Prayer:
Father in heaven, I ask your forgiveness for the many times I haven’t followed your commandment to “remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” While I faithfully attend church to worship and to sing your praises, I expect today’s devotional verses from Hebrews, and your commandment to remember the Sabbath, instruct me to not only physically rest on the Sabbath, but also to focus on growing my relationship with You away from Sunday’s worship service. In Jesus' name I pray for Your guidance.
Amen.
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